Wasp Woman

The Life, Career, and Murder of Hollywood's Susan Cabot

by Lona Bailey

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Pub Date Mar 24 2026 | Archive Date Apr 14 2026

Histria Books | Histria A&E

Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | True Crime

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Description

Susan Cabot was a popular B-list movie actress in the 1940s-1950s whose grisly slaying perhaps gained her more notoriety than her on-screen and on-stage accomplishments. Susan had a significant acting career ultimately cheapened by the media circus surrounding her death.

The role for which Susan was most recognized was Wasp Woman, Janice Starlin, the president of a cosmetics corporation who experiments with a youth serum made from the extract of wasps that proves to have deadly side effects—not unlike the experimental injections that contributed to her own real-life slaughter in 1986 at the hands of her son, Tim.

Susan was essentially tried and convicted of her own murder due to the overbearing mother narrative purported by Tim’s defense attorney team and the media. This biography broadens the narrative of Susan Cabot, detailing her legacy from a fresh perspective beyond the coils of her last years and brutal murder. It also explores the sociopolitical implications of victim-blaming, mother blame, and toxic masculinity that led to the skewing of Susan’s life and death.

Susan’s side of the story has never been told... until now.

Susan Cabot was a popular B-list movie actress in the 1940s-1950s whose grisly slaying perhaps gained her more notoriety than her on-screen and on-stage accomplishments. Susan had a significant...

Advance Praise

Informative, fascinating.

– James A. Cox, Wisconsin Bookwatch

Gripping from the outset and rife with intrigue, the book sizzles in its raw and unfettered storytelling.

– Christopher Cook, author of Lurching Forward

Wasp Woman offers a compelling look at the life and legacy of a true starlet whilst also serving as a poignant reminder of the darker side of Hollywood glamour. I would highly recommend it for true crime and memoir fans alike.

– Readers’ Favorite

Informative, fascinating.

– James A. Cox, Wisconsin Bookwatch

Gripping from the outset and rife with intrigue, the book sizzles in its raw and unfettered storytelling.

– Christopher Cook, author...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781592116799
PRICE	$19.99 (USD)
PAGES	200

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Additional Information

Average rating from 8 members

Featured Reviews

Chrissy S, Reviewer

Wow! I had never heard of Susan Cabot. This is a dark and very interesting story. Obviously very well researched with a lot of extra history added. I write dor an o line blog that covers dark true crime from time to time. I will review this book for Memento Mori Blog. Bravo to the author. Obviously a lot of work and research went I to this project. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of thia book. All opinions are my own .

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J R, Reviewer

Brilliantly interesting work about actress Susan Cabot, both her life and her untimely death. The analysis is detailed and effective. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.

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Alicia F, Reviewer

Wow! The Wasp Wiman is Susan Cabot and this is her story. A beautiful movie actress that doesn’t feel she got the attention she wanted. She was murdered and this is what happened. Hard to believe, did she murder herself? Find out! Happy reading!

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Valerie S, Reviewer

This was a good read about the actress who played the part of Wasp Woman. She had quite a life, all told and the author set out to illuminate her story. Susan Cabot made her name acting in B movies in Hollywood in the 1940s and 1950s. Sadly, she’s more known for her death in 1986 at the hands of her grown son, Tim Roman.